John, 45, said: “It’s unbearable. There is no protection from the road or noise. When I bought the house, I had no idea the motorway was coming closer.

“The sales agent certainly didn’t mention it and neither did my solicitor. If I had known, I’d have walked away.”

John, of Uddingston, Lanarkshire, paid £130,000 for the two-bed flat and moved in a year ago.

He said: “I bought off-plan. I’d been living in Spain and saved for a deposit to come back home.”

But his problems began in April when the work to upgrade the M74, which includes widening the route to four lanes each way between Uddingston and Hamilton, began in earnest. It is scheduled to finish in 2017.

He said: “Construction started and all the trees which screened off the estate were cut down. That was a shock but Stewart Milne said they couldn’t do anything as they don’t own the land.

“Now I can see the wheels of trucks running along the top of my boundary fence.

“The house sways as workers compound tons and tons of bedrock about 12ft from the fence.

“I’ve had glasses and ornaments vibrate and smash. My dogs are terrified. I don’t want to be here.”

John can't stand the noise from motorway traffic (Image: Tom Ross)

Hairdresser John complained to the builder, Transport Scotland and South Lanarkshire Council.

Stewart Milne claimed their sales agent highlighted the work to John. They also said the existing fence met planning conditions and would not be replaced.

John said: “What if a truck comes careering off the motorway heading straight for my house? Please help.”

Stewart Milne said: “Extensive measures were put in place to reduce noise, which were successful until the works to widen the motorway commenced. Further mitigation against the increased noise is outwith our control.

“But we are continuing discussions to see if anything can be done to resolve the issues.”

South Lanarkshire Council said: “We’re meeting the developer to discuss how effective the soundproofing is following complaints from residents.”

Transport Scotland said: “The noise and vibration impact of the project has been assessed to ensure work is carried out in line with statutory regulation.

“The contractor confirmed they are using good practice to minimise impact to road users and the local community.”

Watch this space.

Question -1 of 5Score -0 of 0

A body guard crashed his boss' £1m supercar into a fence in London. What type of car was it?